Chicago White Soxhttp://www.businessinsider.com/category/chicago-white-sox
en-usTue, 31 Mar 2015 14:14:09 -0400Tue, 31 Mar 2015 14:14:09 -0400The latest news on Chicago White Sox from Business Insiderhttp://static3.businessinsider.com/assets/images/bilogo-250x36-wide-rev.pngBusiness Insiderhttp://www.businessinsider.com
http://www.businessinsider.com/r-baseball-legend-minnie-minoso-dead-at-90-chicago-tribune-2015-3Baseball legend the 'Cuban Comet' dies at 90http://www.businessinsider.com/r-baseball-legend-minnie-minoso-dead-at-90-chicago-tribune-2015-3
Sun, 01 Mar 2015 11:29:00 -0500Letitia Stein
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/54f33da469bedd8b28797d82-600-/minnie-minoso.jpg" border="0" alt="Minnie Minoso" width="600"></p><p></p>
<p>(Reuters) - Baseball great Minnie Minoso, the first black major leaguer to play for a Chicago team, died on Sunday at age 90.</p>
<p>Nicknamed the "Cuban Comet," the Chicago White Sox legend was a major figure in the racial integration of Major League Baseball in the 1950s.</p>
<p>Minoso became the first black player on the White Sox when he joined the team in 1951 and went on to become one of its most popular players, nicknamed "Mr. White Sox."</p>
<p>Born in Havana, Cuba, Minoso signed with the Cleveland Indians in 1948, the year after Jackie Robinson first broke the major league's color barrier.</p>
<p>Minoso went on to become a seven-time All Star and played 17 seasons in the majors, including 12 for the White Sox, according to the league.</p>
<p>He was the league's first black Latino star, according to historian Adrian Burgos, who wrote in an article on its website that many considered him the Latin American Jackie Robinson.</p>
<p>Minoso was nominated for the Baseball Hall of Fame as part of an effort to consider overlooked candidates from the league's so-called Golden Era, but he did not get enough votes.</p>
<p>"Minnie may have been passed over by the Baseball Hall of Fame during his lifetime, but for me and for generations of black and Latino young people, Minnie’s quintessentially American story embodies far more than a plaque ever could," U.S. President Barack Obama said in a statement.</p>
<p>Calling himself one of his many fans from Chicago's south side, Obama noted that Minoso endured racial slurs during baseball's integration, and was forced at times to bunk in different motels than his teammates.</p>
<p>The White Sox retired his No. 9 uniform in 1983.</p>
<p>"Our organization and our city have suffered a heart-breaking loss today," White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement. "We have lost our dear friend and a great man. Many tears are falling."</p>
<p>Minoso's family told the Chicago Tribune that Minoso may have died from a heart condition. An autopsy was scheduled for Sunday.</p>
<p>His age, listed as 90 at the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office, has long been in question, with his year of birth alternatively given as 1922 and 1925.</p>
<p>"When I die, I want to be playing baseball," Minoso once said, according to his biography on the White Sox's website. "Truly. They don't bury me without my uniform."</p>
<p>(Reporting by Letitia Stein; Editing by Ralph Boulton and Meredith Mazzilli)</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/r-baseball-legend-minnie-minoso-dead-at-90-chicago-tribune-2015-3#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/intense-circuit-workout-plank-army-crawlers-push-ups-2015-3">Here's an easy fat-burning circuit workout you can do using only a line</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/white-sox-to-sign-cuban-defector-with-record-68-million-contract-2013-10White Sox To Sign Cuban Defector With Record $68 Million Contracthttp://www.businessinsider.com/white-sox-to-sign-cuban-defector-with-record-68-million-contract-2013-10
Fri, 18 Oct 2013 11:18:00 -0400Cork Gaines
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/52614a25ecad042112bd5e43-480-/jose-abreu.jpg" border="0" alt="Jose Abreu" width="480" /></p><p>The White Sox have agreed to a 6-year, $68 million contract with Cuban defector Jose Abreu (<em><a href="http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/9841115/chicago-white-sox-agree-record-deal-cuban-free-agent-1b-jose-abreu">via ESPN.com</a></em>). The deal is a record for a first-year player in Major League Baseball.</p>
<p>The White Sox huge investment in the slugging first baseman could be a reaction to the success of other recent Cuban defectors, Yasiel Puig and Yoenis Cespedes. Puig signed a 7-year, $42 million contract with the Dodgers that was criticized by many. Cespedes signed a 4-year deal with the A's worth $38 million.</p>
<p>While Abreu is <a href="http://www.baseballnation.com/2013/8/13/4615980/jose-abreu-yasiel-puig-cuba-contract">considered by some&nbsp; the better hitter</a>, the White Sox are taking a big gamble on the soon-to-be 27-year-old. Cespedes was 26 during his rookie year and Puig was just 22.</p>
<p>While the $68 million is a record for a player, it is not the most invested by a team in an international free agent. In 2012, the Rangers gave Yu Darvish a 6-year, $56 million contract which came after a $51.7 million posting fee the Rangers paid to Nippon Ham Fighters for the exclusive negotiating rights.</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/white-sox-to-sign-cuban-defector-with-record-68-million-contract-2013-10#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/photos-a-rod-arrives-at-first-game-on-one-of-the-craziest-days-in-mlb-history-2013-8A-Rod Arrives At First Game On One Of The Craziest Days In MLB Historyhttp://www.businessinsider.com/photos-a-rod-arrives-at-first-game-on-one-of-the-craziest-days-in-mlb-history-2013-8
Mon, 05 Aug 2013 19:29:00 -0400Cork Gaines
<p>In one of the crazier days in Major League Baseball history, Alex Rodriguez has been suspended for 211 games and will also play his first game of the year.</p>
<p>After learning of his suspension, Rodriguez was activated from the disabled list (ironically, taking the place of Francisco Cervelli, who was also suspended today). That led to a whirlwind afternoon that started at the team hotel in Chicago and culminated in Rodriguez addressing the media at U.S. Cellular Field.</p>
<p>The circus started shortly after the Yankees boarded the team bus for the ride over to the stadium. Rodriguez, staying in the same hotel, did not take the bus. Instead, he took a Cadillac sedan with a driver. He did wave to the crowd gathered outside the hotel...</p>
<p><img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/520032e96bb3f74d28000014-800-/8-5-2013%203-50-11%20pm.jpg" border="0" alt="Alex Rodriguez" width="800" /></p>
<p>He then received a personal escort to the Yankees locker room with the media chasing him...</p>
<p><img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/520033386bb3f75128000023-871-485/8-5-2013%205-12-50%20pm.jpg" border="0" alt="Alex Rodriguez" width="800" /></p>
<p>He eventually took the field for batting practice, where he greeted White Sox manager Robin Ventura...</p>
<p><img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/5200338a69bedd6a44000011-878-497/8-5-2013%205-49-29%20pm.jpg" border="0" alt="Alex Rodriguez" width="800" /></p>
<p>Inside, the media was waiting patiently for the fallen star to speak...</p>
<p><img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/520033b7ecad046c18000000-666-387/8-5-2013%205-59-56%20pm.jpg" border="0" alt="Alex Rodriguez" width="800" /></p>
<p>Eventually, Rodriguez showed and told the media that the "<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #f5f5f5; display: inline !important; float: none;">last seven months have been a nightmare, probably the worst time of my life."</span></p>
<p><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/5200345769beddd044000011-819-491/8-5-2013%206-07-01%20pm.jpg" border="0" alt="Alex Rodriguez" width="800" /></p>
<p>Back on the field, Alex Rodriguez was swarmed for autographs (he's in there somewhere)...</p>
<p><img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/52003e4d69bedd436300000c-878-447/8-5-2013%207-02-03%20pm.jpg" border="0" alt="Alex Rodriguez" width="800" /></p>
<p>Here's another view...</p>
<p><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/52003e8469bedd2f5e000018-884-497/8-5-2013%207-04-01%20pm.jpg" border="0" alt="Alex Rodriguez" width="800" /></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/photos-a-rod-arrives-at-first-game-on-one-of-the-craziest-days-in-mlb-history-2013-8#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/video-announcer-reactions-jason-giambis-walk-off-2013-7Two Announcers Had Amazingly Different Reactions To Jason Giambi's Walk-Off Home Runhttp://www.businessinsider.com/video-announcer-reactions-jason-giambis-walk-off-2013-7
Tue, 30 Jul 2013 12:14:00 -0400Cork Gaines
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/51f7c32169beddcf44000003-480-/175019686.jpg" border="0" alt="Jason Giambi" width="480" /></p><p>While it is not surprising that the announcers for each team's television and radio networks would have different reactions to a home run, you may never hear more contrasting styles than what happened after Jason Giambi's walk-off home run lifted the Indians over the White Sox.</p>
<p>Matt Underwood's call (0:05 mark in the video below) for Sportstime Ohio, the Indians' TV network, is good. Tom Hamilton's call (0:45 mark) for WTAM, Indians radio network, is perfect.</p>
<p>But then compare those to what Hawk Harrelson did (1:26 mark) on CSN Chicago, the White Sox TV network. No stranger to on-air meltdowns, Harrelson basically goes silent and even let's out a gasp when he tries to speak later.</p>
<p>And this video doesn't do it complete justice, because they cut out about half of Giambi's home run trot in which Harrelson sulks and says nothing...<br /><br /></p>
<p><iframe width="618" height="343" frameborder="0" src="http://wapc.mlb.com/shared/video/embed/embed.html?content_id=29262567&amp;width=618&amp;height=343&amp;property=mlb">Your browser does not support iframes.</iframe></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/video-announcer-reactions-jason-giambis-walk-off-2013-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/video-hawk-harrelson-has-on-air-meltdown-after-white-sox-blow-lead-2013-6Announcer Has On-Air Meltdown After White Sox Blow Leadhttp://www.businessinsider.com/video-hawk-harrelson-has-on-air-meltdown-after-white-sox-blow-lead-2013-6
Wed, 26 Jun 2013 14:35:00 -0400Cork Gaines
<p>Ken "Hawk" Harrelson is no stranger to on-air meltdowns. The latest came with two outs in the ninth inning when two White Sox infielders collided on what should have been an easy game-ending out.</p>
<p>Harrelson's reaction can best be described as "angry." Then, after an extended silence in which Steve Stone has to take over play-by-play duties, Harrelson does chime in at the 1:10 mark with "you gotta be bleepin' me."</p>
<p>Harrelson then continues to mumble to himself for more than a minute before WGN went to a commercial break.</p>
<p>The White Sox would come back and win in the bottom of the ninth (<em><a href="http://wgntv.com/">video via WGN</a> and <a href="http://www.awfulannouncing.com/2013/june/hawk-harrelson-loses-it-volume-xcii.html">AwfulAnnouncing.com</a></em>)...<br /><br /></p>
<p><iframe width="620" height="360" frameborder="0" src="http://telly.com/embed.php?guid=VPKRI7&amp;autoplay=0"></iframe> And here is the Mets broadcast of the same play (via MLB.com)...<br /><br /> <iframe width="620" height="347" frameborder="0" src="http://wap.mlb.com/shared/video/embed/embed.html?content_id=28352583&amp;width=620&amp;height=347&amp;property=mlb">Your browser does not support iframes.</iframe></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/video-hawk-harrelson-has-on-air-meltdown-after-white-sox-blow-lead-2013-6#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/sports-chart-of-the-day-white-sox-announcers-are-most-biased-2012-9SPORTS CHART OF THE DAY: White Sox Announcers Are Most Biasedhttp://www.businessinsider.com/sports-chart-of-the-day-white-sox-announcers-are-most-biased-2012-9
Tue, 25 Sep 2012 14:13:08 -0400Cork Gaines
<p>The <em><a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/wall-street-journal">Wall Street Journal</a></em> conducted a study in which they measured the <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444180004578016652376246198.html?mod=wsj_share_tweet">level of perceived bias expressed by the television announcers for each of the 30 Major League Baseball clubs</a>. And to the surprise of nobody that has ever listened to Ken "Hawk" Harrelson, the White Sox came out on top. And it wasn't even close.</p>
<p>Members of the <em><a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/wsj">WSJ</a></em> listened to the broadcast of a single game for all 30 teams and counted the number of times the announcers referred to the team using the pronouns "we," "us," or "our," as well as the number of times they referred to a player by his nickname or were "blatantly rooting for the home team."</p>
<p>The White Sox announcers exhibited some level of bias 104 times during the 9-inning game. That is 352% more than the next most biased crew, the Indians (23). Only five sets of announcers did not show any biased statements at all, including the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Dodgers, and Blue Jays. Here are the 25 clubs that did...</p>
<p><img src="https://www.businessinsider.com/image/5061f0af6bb3f71922000002-608-457/mlb-announcer-bias.jpg" border="0" alt="MLB announcer bias" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/sports-chart-of-the-day-white-sox-announcers-are-most-biased-2012-9#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/video-girardi-yankees-white-sox-heckler-2012-8Yankees Manager Joe Girardi Went After A Heckler During His Post-Game Press Conference Last Nighthttp://www.businessinsider.com/video-girardi-yankees-white-sox-heckler-2012-8
Thu, 23 Aug 2012 08:38:00 -0400Lorenzo Arguello
<p>It seems like the pressure of losing a double digit lead in the AL East may be getting to <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/new-york-yankees" class="hidden_link">New York Yankees</a> manager Joe Girardi.</p>
<p>Or perhaps he was just really annoyed after getting swept by the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/chicago-white-sox" class="hidden_link">Chicago White Sox</a>.</p>
<p>Either way, he clearly wasn't all that excited about having his post game press conference interrupted by a rowdy fan Wednesday (via <a href="http://content.usatoday.com/communities/dailypitch/post/2012/08/video-joe-girardi-goes-after-heckler-during-interview/1#.UDYhjGhYtQ0">USA Today</a>).</p>
<center><iframe width="600" height="379" frameborder="0" src="http://www.csnchicago.com/embedplayer?embed=1&amp;PID=VuvuySEYVXtRgi_ylhcvjYTyCn7B_mtM"></iframe></center><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/video-girardi-yankees-white-sox-heckler-2012-8#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/video-baseball-players-had-trouble-throwing-the-ball-2012-8A Couple Of Baseball Players Had Trouble Throwing The Ball With Hilarious Resultshttp://www.businessinsider.com/video-baseball-players-had-trouble-throwing-the-ball-2012-8
Sun, 19 Aug 2012 13:31:23 -0400Cork Gaines
<p>A wise man once said that baseball is a simple game. You throw the ball. You catch the ball. You hit the ball. But when players struggle with the throwing part, hilarity ensues as demonstrated by Barry Zito (first) and Tyler Flowers (below)...</p>
<p><em>Barry Zito's oops pitch...</em></p>
<center><iframe width="560" height="314" frameborder="0" src="http://mlb.mlb.com/shared/video/embed/embed.html?content_id=24012643&amp;width=560&amp;height=314&amp;property=mlb">Your browser does not support iframes.</iframe></center>
<p><em>Tyler Flowers throws the ball backwards...</em></p>
<center><iframe width="560" height="314" frameborder="0" src="http://mlb.mlb.com/shared/video/embed/embed.html?content_id=24012081&amp;width=560&amp;height=314&amp;property=mlb">Your browser does not support iframes.</iframe></center><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/video-baseball-players-had-trouble-throwing-the-ball-2012-8#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/video-pierzynski-scores-from-first-white-sox-as-2012-8The White Sox's A.J. Pierzynski Scored On An Unbelievably Stupid Play By The A's Infieldhttp://www.businessinsider.com/video-pierzynski-scores-from-first-white-sox-as-2012-8
Mon, 13 Aug 2012 10:25:00 -0400Lorenzo Arguello
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/chicago-white-sox" class="hidden_link">Chicago White Sox</a> catcher A.J. Pierzynski should be given a lot of credit for his heads-up base running during the bottom of the seventh inning of a 7-3 win Sunday. He somehow managed to score all the way from first on a ground ball to short.</p>
<p>"How the heck does that happen?" you ask.</p>
<p>Well, by catching the Oakland A's infielders who forgot all about those basic defensive shift drills from spring training off guard, that's how.</p>
<p>Watch the A's not cover third base OR home plate and look like complete idiots as Pierzynski just waltzes in for the run:</p>
<p><iframe width="610" height="341.6" frameborder="0" src="http://mlb.mlb.com/shared/video/embed/embed.html?content_id=23847315&amp;width=610&amp;height=341.6&amp;property=mlb"></iframe></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/video-pierzynski-scores-from-first-white-sox-as-2012-8#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/underrated-mlb-stars-2012-7These 10 Great MLB Players Are Getting Overshadowed By Their Other-Worldly Teammateshttp://www.businessinsider.com/underrated-mlb-stars-2012-7
Wed, 25 Jul 2012 19:32:00 -0400Lorenzo Arguello
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/500ecf1c6bb3f71607000008-400-/mark-trumbo-los-angeles-angels.jpg" border="0" alt="Mark Trumbo Los Angeles Angels" width="400" /></p><p>Ask an average baseball fan who's having a great year and names like Chris Sale, Mike Trout, and Ryan Braun will come up.</p>
<p>Those three, and some other candidates mostly likely to be mentioned (Josh Hamilton, Matt Kemp), would still probably leave out plenty of other players who are having a good year.</p>
<p>It's even harder for these "other" guys to get recognized when they are playing alongside teammates who may not just be surpassing them on the field, but in media and fan attention as well.</p>
<p>We've chosen to highlight a few of these somewhat forgotten players here.</p>
<p><em>Stats obtained from <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com" target="_blank">Baseball Reference</a> and current as of games played through July 23, 2012.</em></p><h3>Thanks to All-Star teammates Gio Gonzalez and Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals starter Jordan Zimmerman gets lost in the shuffle</h3>
<img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/500ecdaceab8ea7453000000-400-300/thanks-to-all-star-teammates-gio-gonzalez-and-stephen-strasburg-washington-nationals-starter-jordan-zimmerman-gets-lost-in-the-shuffle.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p>Having the two NL Cy Young candidates for teammates doesn't help Zimmerman's cause. Nor does his 7-6 win-loss record, but he's had a great season.</p>
<p>Stats: 2.31 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 1.15 walks per start</p></p>
<br/><br/><h3>Outfielder Mark Trumbo would be stealing all the headlines in southern California if it weren't for LA Angels rookie sensation Mike Trout</h3>
<img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/500ecf1c6bb3f71607000008-400-300/outfielder-mark-trumbo-would-be-stealing-all-the-headlines-in-southern-california-if-it-werent-for-la-angels-rookie-sensation-mike-trout.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p>Many give Trout much of the credit for the Angels' resurgence, but the team would be no where without Mark Trumbo.</p>
<p>Stats: .302 AVG, 27 HR, 66 RBI, AL-leading .613 SLG</p></p>
<br/><br/><h3>On top of playing for the mostly-ignored Toronto Blue Jays, first baseman Edwin Encarnacion has to deal with Jose Bautista getting all the attention</h3>
<img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/4fa1b498eab8eaf15c000004-400-300/on-top-of-playing-for-the-mostly-ignored-toronto-blue-jays-first-baseman-edwin-encarnacion-has-to-deal-with-jose-bautista-getting-all-the-attention.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p>But Encarnacion will have to carry a bigger load now that Bautista is sitting out with a wrist injury.</p>
<p>Stats: 26 HR, 67 RBI, .977 OPS</p></p>
<br/><br/><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/underrated-mlb-stars-2012-7#with-big-boppers-miguel-cabrera-and-prince-fielder-in-the-middle-of-the-lineup-detroit-tigers-centerfielder-austin-jackson-will-almost-always-play-second-or-third-fiddle-4">See the rest of the story at Business Insider</a> http://www.businessinsider.com/barack-obama-red-sox-booing-booed-kevin-youkilis-2012-6WHITE HOUSE: Obama Donors Were Saying, 'Yoooook' and Not 'Booo,’ For God's Sake'http://www.businessinsider.com/barack-obama-red-sox-booing-booed-kevin-youkilis-2012-6
Tue, 26 Jun 2012 12:06:00 -0400Brett LoGiurato
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/4fe9ddadecad04be43000010/barack-obama-baseball.jpg" border="0" alt="Barack Obama baseball" /></p><p>White House Press Secretary Jay Carney pushed back against the "silly reporting" about&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/obama-red-sox-booing-mitt-romney-boston-2012-6" target="_blank"><strong>President Barack Obama</strong>'s tongue-in-cheek remarks about the Boston Red Sox's trade of Kevin Youkilis</a> last night at a Boston fundraiser.&nbsp;</p>
<p>From the White House pool report:</p>
<p class="p1" style="padding-left: 60px;">&ldquo;There has been some really silly reporting about the president&rsquo;s remarks regarding Kevin Youkilis last night. It is highly commendable in my view as a Red Sox Fan that the president has always refused to pander on sports. He is a White Sox fan, he owns his fandom of the White Sox. He proved that again last night, And anyone who knows Boston, [knows] the Red Sox and anyone who was in that room last night knows that the preponderence of <strong>people shouting in response to what the President said about Kevin Youkilis were saying &lsquo;Yoooook and not Booo&rsquo; for God&rsquo;s sake.&rdquo;</strong></p>
<p class="p1">This has turned into a huge &mdash; repeat:&nbsp;<em>huge</em> &mdash; controversy. At a fundraiser Monday night, Obama "thanked" Red Sox fans for trading Youkilis to the White Sox, which are his favorite baseball team.&nbsp;</p>
<p class="p1"><strong><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/mitt-romney" class="hidden_link">Mitt Romney</a></strong>'s campaign then blasted Obama on Tuesday morning blasted Obama for choosing to "mock" Red Sox fans for <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/obama-red-sox-booing-mitt-romney-boston-2012-6#ixzz1yupG9weq" target="_blank">"<span>trading away one of its favorite players at a time when the team is struggling."</span></a></p>
<p class="p1"><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/obama-red-sox-booing-mitt-romney-boston-2012-6#ixzz1yupG9weq" target="_blank"><span></span></a><span>Kevin Youkilis has still not weighed in on the situation.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="480" height="360" frameborder="0" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2OfsSGYJ10I"></iframe></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/barack-obama-red-sox-booing-booed-kevin-youkilis-2012-6#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/starlin-castro-circus-catch-2012-6How The Heck Did The Cubs Shortstop Make This Incredible Over-The-Shoulder, Bare-Handed Catch?http://www.businessinsider.com/starlin-castro-circus-catch-2012-6
Wed, 20 Jun 2012 16:40:14 -0400Lorenzo Arguello
<p>Chicago White Sox outfielder Alejandro de Aza popped up a blooper into short centerfield in the fifth inning of last night's 2-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs.</p>
<p>And somehow Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro was able to make a ridiculous running catch (via <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/starlin-castro-circus-catch-highlights-cubs-win-video-141358573--mlb.html">Big League Stew</a>):</p>
<p><iframe width="610" height="341.6" frameborder="0" src="http://mlb.mlb.com/shared/video/embed/embed.html?content_id=22420595&amp;width=610&amp;height=341.6&amp;property=mlb"></iframe></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/starlin-castro-circus-catch-2012-6#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/chicago-white-sox-hawk-harrelson-headache-rant-2012-5Even Hawk Harrelson Got A Headache After His Rant Yesterdayhttp://www.businessinsider.com/chicago-white-sox-hawk-harrelson-headache-rant-2012-5
Thu, 31 May 2012 15:45:47 -0400Cork Gaines
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/4fc7c74569bedded30000000/ken-hawk-harrelson.jpg" border="0" alt="Ken Hawk Harrelson" /></p><p><a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/chicago-white-sox">Chicago White Sox</a> broadcaster Ken "Hawk" Harrelson, the guy at right wearing sunglasses inside a dome, went on <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/video-a-white-sox-tv-announcer-absolutely-lost-his-mind-on-air-2012-5">a now-famous rant yesterday after a pitcher was ejected for intentionally throwing at a batter</a>. The homerness of the rant was even more homery than usual for the broadcaster that has a reputation for being baseball's biggest homer.</p>
<p>Well, it turns out that the listeners weren't the only victims of Hawk's bleepin' screaming. Even Hawk got a headache that required the administration of at least 16 Advil in less than 24 hours.</p>
<p>Hawk went on a local radio show to discuss the game. Most of the interview, which has been <a href="http://sportsradiointerviews.com/2012/05/31/hawk-harrelson-rant-chicago-white-sox-announcer-mark-wegner-mlb/">transcribed at <em>SportsRadioInterviews.com</em></a>, is just Hawk still complaining about the umpire. But there is also this nugget...</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><em>&ldquo;First of all I still have a headache because I got so upset yesterday. I took four Advil after that inning was over and then I had to take four more on the plane and then when I got home last night I had to take four more. Also when I got up this morning I had to take four more...&rdquo;</em></p>
<p>Poor Hawk.</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/chicago-white-sox-hawk-harrelson-headache-rant-2012-5#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/video-a-white-sox-tv-announcer-absolutely-lost-his-mind-on-air-2012-5A White Sox TV Announcer Absolutely Lost His Mind On Airhttp://www.businessinsider.com/video-a-white-sox-tv-announcer-absolutely-lost-his-mind-on-air-2012-5
Wed, 30 May 2012 16:18:00 -0400Cork Gaines
<p>Most people would agree that there is no bigger homer in broadcasting than Ken "Hawk" Harrelson of the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/chicago-white-sox" class="hidden_link">Chicago White Sox</a>.</p>
<p>Well, today he was in full meltdown mode after a White Sox pitcher was ejected for throwing at a batter.</p>
<p>This scene had been brewing for a couple of games after AJ Pierzynski of the White Sox cleated Ben Zobrist of the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/tampa-bay-rays-1" class="hidden_link">Tampa Bay Rays</a> on a hard slide into second base. The Rays retaliated by hitting Pierzynski earlier in this game.</p>
<p>That's when this happened...</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<center><iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" src="http://mlb.mlb.com/shared/video/embed/embed.html?content_id=21891645&amp;width=560&amp;height=315&amp;property=mlb">Your browser does not support iframes.</iframe></center><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/video-a-white-sox-tv-announcer-absolutely-lost-his-mind-on-air-2012-5#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/snoop-dogg-first-pitch-2012-5Here's Snoop Dogg Throwing Out A First Pitch In Absurd Fashionhttp://www.businessinsider.com/snoop-dogg-first-pitch-2012-5
Fri, 25 May 2012 08:48:55 -0400Nicholas Schwartz
<p>Snoop Dogg was in Chicago yesterday to throw out the first pitch in the White Sox-Twins game, and he didn't disappoint.</p>
<p>Snoop got the ball over the plate cleanly, then busted out a Usain Bolt pose and Tebowed on his way off the field.</p>
<p>"It was a strike. It was a changeup, screwball. It was one of my pitches that I normally don't really go into, but we are in the Windy City so I had to make sure it got over the plate the right way."</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/QkCmDIYp_FE"></iframe></p>
<p>Not a lot of people were at U.S. Cellular Field to see Snoop's pitch, though. <a href="http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=320524104" target="_blank">Official attendance</a> was 20,167, or 49.7 percent of the stadium's capacity.</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/snoop-dogg-first-pitch-2012-5#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/video-was-philip-humbers-perfect-game-really-perfect-2012-4Did A Blown Call Give Philip Humber A Perfect Game?http://www.businessinsider.com/video-was-philip-humbers-perfect-game-really-perfect-2012-4
Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:34:00 -0400Cork Gaines
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/4f959662ecad044f0e000036/philip-humber.jpg" border="0" alt="Philip Humber" /></p><p>With a full count on Brendan Ryan of the Seattle Mariners, Philip Humber threw a slider that missed the strikezone by a wide margin and would have been ball four, ruining his bid for a perfect game. However, Ryan swung at the pitch in the dirt for strike three.</p>
<p>Or did he?</p>
<p>Some have <a href="http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2012/04/how_perfect_was.php">questioned the legitimacy of the perfect game</a>, believing that Ryan did check his swing in time, and that the pitch should have been ruled ball four.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The play is reminiscent of when Armando Galarraga lost a perfect game in 2010 when umpire Jim Joyce blew a call at first base on what would have been the final out.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, Fox never provided us with a definitive replay of the final strike in Humber's perfecto.</p>
<p>On the next few pages, we will take a closer look at the swing, including an angle not previously seen on any of the highlight shows...</p><h3>Here is the view shown by Fox. And even slowed down, it is tough to tell.</h3>
<p><center><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7244/7106766241_12479e1d93_o.gif"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7244/7106766241_12479e1d93_o.gif" border="0" alt="" style="border: 0pt none; margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 560px;" /></a></center></p>
<br/><br/><h3>It looks like Ryan's bat may have passed through the strikezone, but he doesn't appear to "break his wrists" (something some umpires look for)</h3>
<img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/4f95980aeab8ea0a42000012-400-300/it-looks-like-ryans-bat-may-have-passed-through-the-strikezone-but-he-doesnt-appear-to-break-his-wrists-something-some-umpires-look-for.jpg" alt="" />
<br/><br/><h3>Now here is an angle from a fan in the stands</h3>
<p><center><a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8018/6960698632_bab3c1f754_o.gif"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8018/6960698632_bab3c1f754_o.gif" border="0" alt="" style="border: 0pt none; margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 560px;" /></a></center></p>
<br/><br/><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/video-was-philip-humbers-perfect-game-really-perfect-2012-4#now-it-looks-like-the-bat-definitely-went-through-the-strikezone-but-we-have-seen-worse-swings-called-a-ball-4">See the rest of the story at Business Insider</a> http://www.businessinsider.com/video-philip-humber-perfect-game-2012-4Philip Humber Throws A Perfect Game, The 21st In Major League Historyhttp://www.businessinsider.com/video-philip-humber-perfect-game-2012-4
Sat, 21 Apr 2012 20:27:00 -0400Cork Gaines
<p>Philip Humber of the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/chicago-white-sox" class="hidden_link">Chicago White Sox</a> retired all 27 Seattle Mariners batters he faced today, becoming just the 21st pitcher to throw a perfect game.</p>
<p>It was the first perfect game since Roy Halladay achieved the feat in 2010. And Humber became the latest ex-Mets pitcher to throw a no-hitter. No pitcher has ever tossed a no-hitter while pitching for the New York Mets. However several pitchers have accomplished the feat after leaving, including Nolan Ryan (seven times), Tom Seaver, and Dwight Gooden.</p>
<p>Here's the final out...</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<center>
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<noscript><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" id="ooyalaPlayer_5xhwq_h1c9azde" width="560" height="315" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/swflash.cab"><param name="movie" value="http://player.ooyala.com/player.swf?embedCode=50ZGtpNDqlW2s0icIDgouqsp3aZfzZbQ&version=2" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="flashvars" value="embedType=noscriptObjectTag&embedCode=50ZGtpNDqlW2s0icIDgouqsp3aZfzZbQ&videoPcode=BhdmY6l9g002rBhQ6aEBZiheacDu" /><embed src="http://player.ooyala.com/player.swf?embedCode=50ZGtpNDqlW2s0icIDgouqsp3aZfzZbQ&version=2" bgcolor="#000000" width="560" height="315" name="ooyalaPlayer_5xhwq_h1c9azde" align="middle" play="true" loop="false" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="&embedCode=50ZGtpNDqlW2s0icIDgouqsp3aZfzZbQ&videoPcode=BhdmY6l9g002rBhQ6aEBZiheacDu" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed></object></noscript></center><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/video-philip-humber-perfect-game-2012-4#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/kid-running-on-field-white-sox-game-2012-4This Might Be The Youngest Fan To Ever Run On The Field During A Baseball Gamehttp://www.businessinsider.com/kid-running-on-field-white-sox-game-2012-4
Thu, 19 Apr 2012 17:02:00 -0400Cork Gaines
<p>Drunken fans running on to the field during a baseball game are far too common. But this is the first time we have ever seen a small child interrupt a game.</p>
<p>It is unclear how the child made his way on to the field, or why. But at some point, he is wrapped up by White Sox left fielder Dayan Viciedo, who eventually handed the child off to security.</p>
<p>Wait for the money line at the 0:40 mark: "What's the fine going to be, a dozen Oreos?"</p>
<p>Here's the video (<a href="http://www.csnchicago.com/"><em>via Comcast SportsNet</em>)</a>...</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<center>
<script src="http://player.ooyala.com/player.js?width=560&amp;height=315&amp;embedCode=h2bDZpNDoLRqIEGOrch9dy73WgVoguDo&amp;videoPcode=BhdmY6l9g002rBhQ6aEBZiheacDu" type="text/javascript"></script>
<noscript><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" id="ooyalaPlayer_63s65_h18a4hto" width="560" height="315" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/swflash.cab"><param name="movie" value="http://player.ooyala.com/player.swf?embedCode=h2bDZpNDoLRqIEGOrch9dy73WgVoguDo&version=2" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="flashvars" value="embedType=noscriptObjectTag&embedCode=h2bDZpNDoLRqIEGOrch9dy73WgVoguDo&videoPcode=BhdmY6l9g002rBhQ6aEBZiheacDu" /><embed src="http://player.ooyala.com/player.swf?embedCode=h2bDZpNDoLRqIEGOrch9dy73WgVoguDo&version=2" bgcolor="#000000" width="560" height="315" name="ooyalaPlayer_63s65_h18a4hto" align="middle" play="true" loop="false" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="&embedCode=h2bDZpNDoLRqIEGOrch9dy73WgVoguDo&videoPcode=BhdmY6l9g002rBhQ6aEBZiheacDu" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed></object></noscript></center><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/kid-running-on-field-white-sox-game-2012-4#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/competitive-balance-has-returned-to-baseball-2012-4Competitive Balance Has Returned To Baseballhttp://www.businessinsider.com/competitive-balance-has-returned-to-baseball-2012-4
Thu, 05 Apr 2012 16:51:05 -0400AP
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/4c090bd87f8b9a9228300000-350-/bud-selig.jpg" border="0" alt="Bud Selig" width="350" /></p><p>NEW YORK (AP) &mdash; The rest of baseball is starting to catch up with the big spenders.</p>
<p>The Miami Marlins, <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/detroit-tigers">Detroit Tigers</a>, Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Angels all had hefty boosts in payroll during the offseason along with the <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/tampa-bay-rays-1">Tampa Bay Rays</a> and Kansas City Royals, according to a study of major league contracts by The Associated Press.</p>
<p>Some traditional high rollers had huge drops, including the New York Mets, Chicago Cubs and <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/chicago-white-sox">Chicago White Sox</a>.</p>
<p>"Any time everything's even, it's always better competition," Prince Fielder said Thursday before his first game as the Tigers' new big-money first baseman.</p>
<p>The <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/new-york-yankees">New York Yankees</a>, of course, remain the cash king and topped $200 million on opening day for the fifth consecutive year. And at $30 million, the Yanks' <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/alex-rodriguez">Alex Rodriguez</a> remains the richest of the richest, baseball's highest-paid player for the 12th straight season.</p>
<p>The major league average salary rose 4.1 percent to $3.44 million, the steepest hike since 2008.</p>
<p>Lucrative deals came from unexpected places, with <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/albert-pujols">Albert Pujols</a> getting $240 million from Angels owner Arte Moreno and Fielder $214 million from Tigers owner <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/mike-ilitch">Mike Ilitch</a>.</p>
<p>"Maybe they just have more saved up or something," <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/boston-red-sox">Boston Red Sox</a> manager Bobby Valentine said before his team opened against the Tigers. "Being here in Detroit, and seeing what Mr. Ilitch is trying to do around this area and for the city of Detroit &mdash; I think spending money on his team to make this city feel proud of something is a fabulous, fabulous effort."</p>
<p>Spreading the wealth this week, Cincinnati struck a deal with Joey Votto for $251.5 million over 12 years &mdash; the longest deal in big league history and the third richest. San Francisco gave Matt Cain $127.5 million over the next six seasons, the highest contract for a right-handed pitcher.</p>
<p>"I think it's a healthy sign to the extent that the weaker clubs financially, or lower-revenue clubs, are starting to spend a little more. It would suggest that revenues have been improving for those clubs," Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said. "To the extent that payrolls move closer together, it probably is a sign of additional competitiveness. Although, again, there's not always a correlation between the payroll and team success."</p>
<p>Some fear that the incoming owners of the <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/los-angeles-dodgers">Los Angeles Dodgers</a>, after spending $2 billion for the team, might covet next November's free agents, a group that currently includes pitchers Cole Hamels and Zack Greinke.</p>
<p>"It's kind of humorous to me," San Francisco general manager <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/brian-sabean">Brian Sabean</a> said. "These guys haven't even taken over yet and all of a sudden they're going to take every player in baseball."</p>
<p>Lots of baseball executives are contemplating what the Dodgers' mega-deal means for their teams.</p>
<p>"It's an incredible price," Yankees President Randy Levine said. "One can only imagine what the value of the Yankees would be at a market sale."</p>
<p>Revenue sharing has spread the wealth, and more teams have rich cable television contracts.</p>
<p>"Without economic reformation, none of this happens," baseball Commissioner Bud Selig said Wednesday. "It has been great for everybody &mdash; big markets, medium, small, everybody &mdash; because there's a sense of fairness."</p>
<p>The renamed Miami Marlins, in their new hip ballpark, boosted payroll by about $40 million, even after factoring in the more than $15 million they are getting from the Cubs along with Carlos Zambrano. Adding All-Stars Jose Reyes, Heath <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/bell">Bell</a> and Mark Buehrle didn't come cheap.</p>
<p>After winning its second straight AL pennant, Texas' spending went up by about $27 million, about as much as Detroit's. Kansas City and Tampa Bay had hikes almost as large.</p>
<p>"It's gotten to like every fan when that season starts feels like their team's got a chance," Atlanta Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "And that's the way it should be."</p>
<p>But for every nearly ever booster there was a slasher.</p>
<p>According to <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/mlb-1">MLB</a> figures, which include money in trades, cash paid released players and buyouts, the Mets went from $139.8 million at the start of last season to $96.4 million. The $43.4 million decrease is thought to be the largest in baseball history, topping when Texas cut by $38.7 million before the 2004 season.</p>
<p>While cutting payroll, the Mets' owners waged a legal fight against the trustee for victims of the Bernard Madoff Ponzi scheme, who sought as much as $1 billion. The case was settled last month for up to $162 million.</p>
<p>Oakland, unhappy it hasn't been able to get permission from MLB to build a ballpark in San Jose, has the lowest payroll at just under $53 million, according to the AP study. While Pittsburgh hiked up to $63 million after its MLB-record 19th straight losing season, the Pirates are getting $11.5 million of that back from the Yankees as part of the A.J. Burnett trade.</p>
<p>"The payroll thing is kind of an excuse honestly," Pirates outfielder Nate McLouth said. "You don't play dollar against dollar. You have to go out on the field and do it. You know teams with higher payrolls have players who have prolonged success as opposed to teams with lower payrolls, but honestly that doesn't play into anything when we play or step on the field."</p>
<p>Still, a high payroll usually means a better chance of reaching the playoffs.</p>
<p>The Yankees, who have reached the postseason in 16 of the last 17 years, reached $200 million not even including the money they are paying Pittsburgh to take Burnett off their hands. Or the $2.5 million owed Andy Pettitte once he's added to their roster.</p>
<p>After the Yankees there's a drop to the Phillies at $174 million and the Red Sox at $173 million, followed by the Angels at $155 million and the Tigers at $132 million.</p>
<p>"It seems like the landscape out there is getting a little bit flatter," said Theo Epstein, the Cubs' new president of baseball operations. "We'll see how it all plays out."</p>
<p>A-Rod was followed on the money list by the Angels' Vernon Wells at $24.6 million, followed by Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia ($24.3 million), returning Mets ace Johan Santana ($23.15 million) and Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira ($23.13 million). Fielder's deal with Detroit placed him in a tie for sixth with Minnesota's Joe Mauer at $23 million.</p>
<p>The AP's figures include salaries and prorated shares of signing bonuses and other guaranteed income. For some players, parts of deferred signing bonuses and salaries are discounted to reflect current values.</p>
<p>Million-dollar salaries dropped slightly, from 453 to 448. Still, that's nearly 53 percent of the 852 players on opening-day rosters and disabled lists. The number of $10 million players increased from 82 to 89, and $20 million stars rose from 10 to 14.</p>
<p>Sixty-eight players make the $480,000 minimum &mdash; boosted from $414,000 under baseball's new labor contract. The median salary, the point at which an equal numbers are above and below, declined by $25,000 to $1,075,000, down from a record $1,125,000 in 2009.</p>
<p>There were 103 players on the disabled list, nine more than at the start of last year and the most on opening day since 2008.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>AP Baseball Writer Janie McCauley and AP Sports Writers Mike Fitzpatrick, Will Graves, Andrew Seligman, Noah Trister and Steven Wine contributed to this report.</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/competitive-balance-has-returned-to-baseball-2012-4#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1125345-fantasy-baseballs-top-15-starting-rotationsFantasy Baseball Rankings 2012: The Top 15 Starting Rotationshttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/1125345-fantasy-baseballs-top-15-starting-rotations
Fri, 30 Mar 2012 20:29:00 -0400Bleacher Report
<p><em>This <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1125345-fantasy-baseballs-top-15-starting-rotations">post</a> originally appeared at <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/">Bleacher Report.</a></em></p>
<p>In a bit of full disclosure, I crapped out when crafting these rankings of fantasy's top 15 starting rotations.</p>
<p>When choosing amongst the Dodgers, Mariners, Red Sox, Marlins, Indians, White Sox and Reds, there was no absolute, foolproof method for determining the final two slots, so an uncomfortable compromise was reached with four clubs, leaving three temporarily out of the mix.</p>
<p>Regarding baseball's No. 1 rotation for fantasy purposes, if you need to think about which club holds that honor, you haven't been paying attention to my articles...or baseball in general. Enjoy the show!</p>
<h2><a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1125345-fantasy-baseballs-top-15-starting-rotations">See the whole story at Bleacher Report &gt;</a></h2><p><a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1125345-fantasy-baseballs-top-15-starting-rotations#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p>